Harry Shum Jr. and Jane Lynch open up about 'Glee' after Cory Monteith's death

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It’s no surprise that returning to the “Glee” set has been difficult for the cast after star Cory Monteith‘s tragic death on July 13. Co-stars Harry Shum Jr. and Jane Lynch each opened up on Saturday (August 10) about how the cast is banding together to help each other through their grief during this trying time.

“We’ve all been leaning on each other. It’s been a rough patch and a rough time,” Shum told People Magazine. “I don’t know when that will ever end, that rough patch of losing a friend like that. It’s so unexpected, but we’re all leaning on each other.”

Lynch was happy that the cast and crew were able to celebrate Monteith’s life together. “We had a nice memorial,” Lynch told US Weekly. “The cast and the crew, we all got together and we remembered Cory and honored [him]. We went back to the work and the wheels turn in spite of what happened and I’m just glad we had that memorial so we were able to come together and be a family.”

Shortly after Monteith’s death, Shum paid tribute to his late co-star and friend by posting a collage of photos on Instagram with the caption, “This is how I remember him. Kind hearted. Incredibly funny. Extremely passionate.”

“You look through old photos, if you lose anybody, you look at old photos and something comes up with those memories, and I wanted people to know – and I think they already knew – that Cory was just a great guy, an overall great person,” he said. “Caring, loving, talented.”

As for being on set without Monteith, Lynch said that his presence is greatly missed. “Everybody’s doing differently,” Lynch said. “You know, it’s tough. Everybody had a relationship with him and we all express our grief in different ways so I’ll only speak for myself. I love him and I honor [him], and every day I go to work, I walk by his trailer and I go, ‘He should be in there.'”

As for Lea Michele, Monteith’s real-life and onscreen girlfriend, Shum says he’s been in touch with the grieving actress. “Of course she’s heartbroken, everyone is,” Shum said. “But I think it’s great that everyone is back at work and at least following through, and hopefully we can at least just get through this rough patch.”